What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is physical, psychological ( emotional), sexual or financial abuse that takes place within an intimate or family type relationship and usually forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour.

Approximately 95% of the victims of domestic violence are women and the perpetrator is usually male. Whilst most people normally think of domestic violence as being something one partner does to another, abuse by your own family or your partner/ spouse’s family is also domestic violence.

You can use this list* to help you recognise if you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship.

Forced marriage: family members, including extended family members, who use physical violence or emotional pressure to make you to marry someone, without your free and full consent;

Threats regarding ‘honour’: immediate and extended family members, partners and ex-partners justifying a range of abusive and violent behaviour (listed below) in the name of ‘honour’. For example, using violence to prevent you from bringing dishonour or shame upon yourself or them.

Pressure tactics: sulking; threatening to withhold money, disconnect the telephone, take the car away, commit suicide, take the children away, report you to welfare agencies unless you comply with his demands regarding bringing up the children; lying to your friends and family about you; telling you that you have no choice in any decisions, demanding more dowry;

Disrespect and humiliation: persistently putting you down in front of other people; not listening or responding when you talk; interrupting your telephone calls; taking money from your purse without asking; refusing to help with childcare or housework;

Breaking trust: lying to you; withholding information from you; being jealous; having other relationships; breaking promises and shared agreements;

Isolation: monitoring or blocking your telephone calls; telling you where you can and cannot go; preventing you from contacting friends and relatives; accompanying you wherever you go.

Harassment: following you; checking up on you; opening your mail; repeatedly checking to see who has telephoned you; embarrassing you in public;